A Message From Mark Massari: A Letter of Thanks to Gaucho Alums, Donors, Staff, Student-Athletes

Mark Massari

Jun 18, 2014

June 18, 2014

Dear Friends:

I write today to inform you that I will leave my position as
Athletic Director at UCSB this summer. I have accepted an offer to
return to Oregon State University as Deputy Athletics Director.
Several personal and professional reasons make this move important
for my family and I at this time. The past six years at UCSB have
been a remarkable time for my family and I. This is a bittersweet
moment for us as we have developed so many wonderful and lifelong
friendships. I am so very proud of all that we have accomplished
together along this journey and have confidence plans are in place
to accomplish amazing things in the future. I want to send you my
deepest thanks for your support, both personal and professional.
Your guidance, wisdom and support - both financial and otherwise -
have helped to bring tremendous growth and success to Gaucho
intercollegiate athletics.

Our graduation rates for student-athletes is at an all time
high, so are the number of donors supporting athletics annually.
Seventeen NCAA appearances, record crowds and thousands of
hours donated to the community later, I beam with pride on what was
accomplished collectively. In addition, my heart warms knowing a
special era of alumni is again investing themselves fully for
today's Gauchos, all shown through the honor bestowed to remarkable
people in Jim and Cheryl Barber last spring. I have also been the
luckiest man in the world to have met Phil Womble and have him in
my life. So many more accomplishments, all equally as touching and
why I was fortunate to lead a wonderful group of staff and
student-athletes.

There is a saying amongst collegiate administrators that these
student-athletes can really get into your heart sometimes –
they have by the hundreds for me. My family and I are also
extremely grateful to Chancellor Yang for this wonderful
opportunity to serve you and be part of UCSB and Santa Barbara.

The job of Athletic Director is a good one made tremendous by
the company I was blessed to keep. Thank you for being part of our
lives. We have loved being Gauchos.